Multiple level filing cabinet



y 1954 M. L. HAMACHER 2,684,277

MULTIPLE LEVEL FILING CABINET Original Filed July 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 my. LJ

' E51- HWMMW July 20, 1954 M. L. HAMACHER MULTIPLE LEVEL FILING CABINET Original Filed July 8, 1950 5 She'ets-Sheet 2 HWWQ Hw 3 Sheets-Sheet 15 Original Filed July 8, 1950 INVENTOR. bdmdcier ,e 7raz/yzl s.

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A We Hm Patented July 20, 1954 MULTIPLE LEVEL FILING CABINET Murrell L. Hamacher, Fort Lee, N. J assignor, by mesne assignments, to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Continuation of abandoned application Serial No. 172,690, July 8, 1950. This application October 12, 1951, Serial No. 251,009

4 Claims.

This invention relates to filing equipment and more particularly to desk or table type filing cabinets that have a plurality of interiorly disposed, stacked, readily rearrangeable filing trays that are adapted to receive large quantities of file papers, cards, .or the like.

This application is a continuation of my previously filed application Serial No. 172,690, filed July 8, 1950, now abandoned.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a desk type filing cabinet having stacked, rearrangeable, multiple level file trays mounted therein such that .a maximum quantity or file records may be cared for by a file clerk seated adjacent the cabinet, the file arrangement being such that it requires a minimum amount of efiort on the part of the file clerk.

It is another object of this invention to provide a desk type file cabinet having a readily rea-rrangeable top and a box-like interior area that mounts a plurality of stacked or multiple level filing trays that are relatively movable within the cabinet and of such dimensions and design that all portions of all file trays may be readily accessible to a file clerk positioned adjacent a side of the file cabinet.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a desk type file cabinet having interiorly disposed, rearrangeable, multiple level file trays that will accommodate the maximum number of file records for a given floor area while maintaining all records readily accessible to the file clerk that is seated adjacent to the cabinet.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a file cabinet that will accommodate a maximum number of file records while maintainin all of the file records readily accessible to the file clerk without requiring the file clerk to lift or tug at file trays or assume any uncomfortable or unnatural positions.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will readily appear after reading the subsequent description of this invention and considering the drawings relating thereto wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a spaced apart pair of filing cabinets embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 a side elevation of a filmg cabinet embodying this invention;

Fig. 3 is a top plan elevation of a pair of spaced apart filing cabinets that-embody this invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlargedsect-ionalelevational view of one of my novel filing cabinets, .the view bein taken along the line -4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional ele-vationa'l -view of one of my novel filing cabinets, the view being taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Present day business often times requires that a business organization keep large quantities of detailed records. Furthermore, these records may have to be referred to frequently, corrected, replaced or added to and these operations must be expeditiously carried out with a minimum of time and efiort on the part of all parties concerned. The filing cabinets that are herein disclosed are designed to provide for the handling of the maximum amount of file records for a given office space area while permitting the file clerk to remain seated and to expend only the minimum amount of energy to operate the filing system.

Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that each filing cabinet It} comprises a box-like container H having legs l2 and a top 13. Top I3 is hingedly and slidably connected to the rear top edge It of the box-like container H by a hinged trackway I5. The traekvvay mechanism ii that has the top It slidably connected thereto permits the cabinet top it to be rotated about the edge ill and then slidably moved rearwardly and downwardly relative to the edge i l such that in fully opened position the top [3 extends vertically along the rear side of the cabinet 10 as shown by broken lines in Fig. 4. The particular hinged traclaway structure 5 for the top It does not form a part of this invention and as such devices as this are well known in the art (see U. S. Patent No. 1,899,837), additional description of this hinged trackway mechanism I5 is thought to be unnecessary.

As this invention may be applied to filing cabinets of any length and width, it is frequently found, that the length of a single cabinet unit is at least three or four times the width of the cabinet unit. Accordingly, to keep the cabinet top relatively light so that it can be easily moved by a file clerk, each cabinet top 13 is formed in several sections and each section It is provided with a separate hinging mechanism l5 and separate handles !6 as well as individual lock devices ll. Locks 1'! secure the top sections is to the cabinet body ll when the top sections 13 are in closed position. As a result of the top sections 13 being folda'ble to a position rearwardly of the cabinet, it will be noted that the entire top of the box-like container I! is unobstructed and ready access may be had to all portions of the interior of the container H (see Fig. 1). Another feature of the top sections is is that each section it carries a depending flange portion 13a (see Fig. l) that is adapted to form a major part of the front side wall of the container ii when the top sections l3 are in closed position. When top sections l3 are raised to their opened position then top portions l3a are removed from their positions along the front side of the container II and a relatively large opening is presented through the front side of the container H. This opening through the front side of the container II is quite important for it improves the free access to the interior of the container H as will become more readily apparent from the subsequent description.

The box-like container H (see Figs. 4 and 5) comprises a bottom wall I la, a front side wall I lb, a rear side wall H0 and end walls lld. Extending longitudinally along the inner surface of the bottom wall Ila in spaced apart, parallel relationship are a pair of channel sections 2! and 22. The side flanges Zla and 22a of the channels Z! and 22 respectively provide a pair of guideways adapted to receive therebetween a lower box-like file tray 23. This lower file tray 23 may be a single unit that extends the full length of the cabinet Ill or it may be formed in sections to permit ready handling.

Mounted within each of the channel members 2|, 22, and preferably adjacent the side flanges 21b and 22b thereof, are a pair of longitudinally extending roller trackways 25 and 25 respectively. The roller trackways 25 and 26 may be of any form although the rod-type trackways 25, 26 herein shown have proven to be quite satisfactory as well as economical. Trackways 25, 26 extend the full length of the cabinet l0.

Mounted on the spaced apart, longitudinally extending trackways 25, 26 is a box-like carrier 21.

Carrier 2! has depending side flanges 28, 29 that each carry a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers 30 and 3i respectively. Rollers 30, 3| provide for ready shifting of the carrier 2'! along the trackways 25, 26. Mounted within the box-like confines of the carrier 2'! is an intermediate filing tray 33. The carrier 21 and its contained file tray 33 are preferably one-third (/3) to one-half the length of the cabinet unit Ill, although other dimensions may also be used. As aforementioned with regard to the file tray 23, the file tray 33 may be made in several sections to facilitate handling. It will be found that if carrier 2 is not over one half the length of the cabinet I El then all portions of the lower tray 23 are readily accessible by longitudinal shift of the intermediate carrier 21 along the trackways 25, 26.

Mounted on the front side wall I lb and the rear side wall i la of the cabinet box-like container i E i are a pair of substantially L-shaped angle iron brackets 35 and 36 respectively. The short legs 35a and 36a, of the brackets 35 and 35 respectively, each support a rod-type roller track El and 38 respectively, Tracks 3? and 38 extend longitudinally of the cabinet I!) for the full length thereof. Mounted on the spaced apart, longitudinally extending trackways 31, 38 is an upper carrier 39. The upper carrier 39 has a box-like body portion with depending front and rear side flanges 45, 4|. The flanges 40 and ll each mount a pair of longitudinally spaced apart rollers 42 and 43 respectively that are adapted to roll along the trackways 37 and 38 to provide means for readily shifting the carrier member 39 longitudinally of the cabinet 10. Carrier 39 receives within its boxlike confines an upper file tray 45. File tray 45 may be sectionalized for convenience in handling if necessary. The upper carrier member 39 and its contained tray 45 should preferably be from 4 one-third to one-half /2) the length of the cabinet unit l5 to insure ready access to all portions of all of the file receiving trays 23, 33, 45.

The file cabinet 58 may also include a drawer type compartment that is secured to the underside of the container H preferably adjacent one end of the cabinet in. Thi drawer 5!! is intended to receive stamps, pads, pens, pencils, stationery and the like, as well as any personal belongings of the file clerk.

From the above description it is thought to be obvious that the longitudinal shifting of the upper and intermediate carriers 39, 21 will permit ready access to any portions of any of the file receiving trays 23, 33, 45. By having three stacked, longitudinally shiftable or rearrangeable, file receiving trays it is possible to stow the maximum number of files within a given floor area and still have all of the files readily accessible to a file clerk standing or sitting beside the file cabinet. Due to the formation of the top IS with 9. depending front portion 13a, it will be found that the opening through the front wall llb of the container II, when the top I3 is raised to open position, greatly improves the easiness of access to the file trays within the container H. It will also be found that with the disclosed construction the several carriers 2?, 39 are guidingly retained on their trackways yet sufficient clearance is present within the container H to permit easy removal of the carriers from the container 1 I if such should be necessary. When the top sections l3 are moved to closed positions a fire-proof, dustproof cabinet is provided for the contained files. Tops l3 also provide a large working desk space when the file trays are not being used.

A most advantageous arrangement of this type of filing cabinet in an office space is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In this arrangement pairs of these file cabinets H] are arranged in spaced apart, parallel plan with an aisle therebetween. A carriage type combination desk and chair unit is then positioned between the spaced cabinets H) so that it may be readily moved along the aisle 55 by the file clerk seated thereon. The carriage unit til may be of the type shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,552,434. If such a seat unit is used then a roller track 62 is fixed to the front legs l2 of one of the cabinets Ill so that a suitable guideway is provided for certain of the wheels of the carriage assembly fill. As the carriage assembly 60 and its trackway 62 form no part of this invention additional description thereof is considered unnecessary.

The drawings show the files within the several file trays 23, 33-, 45 as extending transversely of the cabinets i 0. Obviously the many advantages of this invention may also be achieved if the files in the file trays extend longitudinally of the cabinet It. Also, if desired, the intermediate and upper file trays and carriers can be made in several individual units instead of as a single unit. For instance, there could be two intermediate carriers each of about one-third /3) the length of the file cabinet and two upper carriers each of which is of a length substantially equal to onethird /3) the length of the cabinet it. It will be found that such an arrangement still provides for easy access to all portions of all file trays.

Iclaim:

1. A filing cabinet comprising an elongated, shallow, open top, box-like container having con nected bottom, side and end walls, a top for said container hingedly and slidably connected thereto for movement between a horizontal position assent? closing :said box-like container to an open vertical position adjacent a first side wall of the container, said top having a depending flange portion thereof formed to provide a portion of a second of the container side walls when the top is in closed position and providing an access opening through said second side wall when the top is in :open position, means supporting the container at substantially desktop level, a first pair of spaced, parallel trackways mounted on the inner side of the container bottom Wall and extending longitudinally thereof for substantially the *full length of the container, -a first file tray mounted within said container and seated on said bottom wall between said first trackways, a first, box-like file tray carrier mounted within said container in stacked relation above said first file tray, said first carrier having depending portions with roller means thereon engageable with said first trackways to provide for shift of said first carrier longitudinally of said container, a second file tray mounted on said first carrier, a second pair of spaced apart, parallel trackways mounted within said container on the opposed side walls thereof, a second file tray carrier mounted within said container in stacked relation above said second file tray, said second carrier having depending portions with roller means thereon engageable with said second trackways to provide for shift of said second carrier longitudinally of said container, and a third file tray mounted on said second carrier, said depending flange on said top being of such size that it extends between the top of said second file tray and the top of the container when the top is in closed position whereby ready access may be had to said second and third file trays through said second side wall of the container when said container top is raised to open position.

2. A filing cabinet comprising an elongated, relatively shallow, box-like, open top container having connected bottom, side and end walls, a top for said container hingedly and slidably connected thereto for movement between a horizontal position closing said box-like container to an open vertical position adjacent the exterior of a first side wall of the container, said top having a depending flange portion thereof formed to provide a portion of a second of the container side walls when the top is in closed position and providing an access opening through said second side wall when the top is in open position, means supporting the container at substantially desk top level, a first pair of spaced, parallel trackways mounted on the inner side of the container bottom Wall and extending longitudinally thereof for substantially the full length of the container, a first file tray mounted within said container and seated on said bottom wall between said first trackways and extending the full length of said container, a first, box-lil e file tray carrier mounted within said container in stacked relation above said first file tray, said first carrier being of less length than the container and having depending side portions with roller means thereon engageable with said first trackways to provide for shift of said first carrier longitudinally of said container, a second file tray of less length than the container mounted on said first carrier, a second pair of spaced apart, parallel trackways mounted within said container on the opposed side walls thereof and extending substantially the full length of the container, a second file tray carrier of less length than the container mounted within said container in stacked relation above said second file tray, said second carrier being of less length than the container and having depending side portions with roller means thereon engageable with said second 'trackways to provide ior shift of said secondcarrier longitudinally of :said container, and a third file tray of less length than the container mounted on said second carrier, said depending flange on said top being of such :size that it extends between the top of the container and at least the top of said second file tray when the top is :in closed position to permit ready access to said second and third file trays through said second side wall when said container top is raised to open position.

3. A cabinet comprising an elongated, open top, box-like container having connected bottom, side and end walls, a top for the open top side of said container arranged for movement between a closed position closing the open top side of said box-like container to an open position uncovering the open top side of the container, said top having a depending flange along an edge thereof formed to provide a portion of one of the con tainer side walls when the top is in closed position and providing an access opening to the interior of the container through said one side wall when the top is moved to open position, means supporting the container at substantially desk top level, a first tray mounted within said container and seated on the container bottom wall, a first pair of spaced, parallel trackways mounted on the inner side of the container and extending longitudinally thereof for substantially the full length of the container, a second tray mounted within said container in stacked relation above said first tray, said second tray having means thereon engageable with said first trackways to provide for shift of said second tray longitudinally of said container, 2, second pair of spaced apart, parallel trackways mounted within said container and extendin longitudinally thereof for substantially the full length of the container, and a third tray mounted within said container in stacked relation above said second tray, said third tray having means thereon engageable with said second trackways to provide for shift of said third tray longitudinally of said container, said depending flange on the top for said container being of such size as to extend between the bottom of the uppermost of the stacked trays and the container top when the top is in closed position so as to provide access through said one side wall to the tray or trays beneath the uppermost tray when the top of the container is in open position.

4. A cabinet comprising an elongated, open top, box-like container having connected bottom, side and end walls, a top for the open top side of said container arranged for movement between a closed position closing the open top side of said box-like container to an open position uncovering the open top side of the container, said top having a depending flange along an edge thereof formed to provide a portion of one of the container side walls when the top is in closed position and providing an access opening to the interior of the container through said one side wall when the top is moved to open position, means supporting the container at substantially desk top level, a first tray mounted within said container and seated on the container bottom wall, a first pair of spaced, parallel trackways mounted on the inner side of the container and extending longitudinally thereof for substantially the full length of the container, a second tray mounted Within said container in stacked relation above said first tray, said second tray having means thereon engageable with said first trackways to provide for shift of said second tray longitudinally of said container, said depending flange on the top for said container being of such 5 size as to extend between the bottom of the uppermost of the stacked trays and the container top when the top is in closed position So as to provide access through said one side wall to the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number the top of the container is in open position.

Number Name Date Ulrich May 29, 1917 Ulrich Feb. 28, 1933 Cocks Oct. 30, 1934 Thomas Dec. 28, 1937 Ottenheimer Dec. 24, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Mar. 26, 1929 Great Britain Jan. 30, 1930 

